BREAKING BAD 3.3 - "I.F.T"
WRITER: George Mastras[SPOILERS] Another terrific episode, which just goes to show that Breaking Bad doesn't have to rely on Bryan Cranston, because Walter was pushed into the background significantly this week. A lot of "I.F.T" hinted that Walter's perhaps only here on borrowed time, too; both through his lung cancer, which is in remission, but is still a lurking threat; and the Cousins' intent to kill him for his part in Tuco's death.
DIRECTOR: Michelle MacLaren
GUEST CAST: Christopher Cousins, Julie Dretzen, Javier Grajeda, Caleb Jones, Mark Margolis, Daniel Moncada, Luis Moncada, Steven Michael Quezada & Danny Trejo
"I.F.T" began in flashback, revealing the exact circumstances behind DEA informant Tortuga's (Danny Trejo) death last season, where his decapitated head was glued to a tortoise's shell and left to roam the desert. It turns out Tortuga's boss, "El Jefe" (Javier Grajeda), learned of his collusion with the US authorities and had the Cousins (Daniel Moncada, Luis Moncada) carry out the horrific deed in the backroom of a Mexican cantina. This was primarily just a fun way to see more of Trejo's character, but also reminded us of the horrors happening across the border within the vicious drug cartel, and how the Cousins are connected to some of last season's goings-on.It was also a timely reminder, because Hank (Dean Norris) received word from El Paso that he's likely to be sent back across the border to continue his DEA work there, and despite putting on a show of childlike excitement for his colleague Gomez's (Steven Michael Quezada) benefit, it's clear than Hank's terrified of going back. For all his bravado and obvious skill in the Albuquerque territories, in Mexico the drug-trafficking situation's a whole new level of danger and depravity he secretly wants to avoid after getting a taster last year.
Perhaps looking for a way out, Hank later picks a fight with two guys in a dingy bar while out drinking with Gomez, and while Gomez is happy to later bend their story to make Hank look good (claiming the men he attacked started the provocation), he noticed that Hank had uncharacteristically left his gun in their car outside. I took that as a sign Hank didn't want to be identified as a cop by anyone, so the brawl he started would go the distance, and he'd be reprimanded over his behaviour and the El Paso transfer denied. But to be honest, most of it didn't click for me. I think they could have found a better way for Hank to try and get himself in trouble with his bosses. And haven't we already covered Hank's anxiety and panic attacks? Admittedly it seemed to fizzle out in season 2, so maybe the writers have a better arc in mind now. I do really enjoy Dean Norris on the show, playing a big fish in a small pond who's afraid of swimming with the real sharks.
Interesting to note the parallel between Walt and Jesse (Aaron Paul) here, too -- both now back in their family homes, but sleeping alone and with empty holes where their loving partner used to be. Jesse's taken to calling his dead girlfriend Jane's phone number over and over, just so he could hear her recorded voicemail message, until the phone company eventually get round to disconnected it -- severing that lifeline to his past, and forcing him to try and cook some meth alone, if only to pay for some furniture!
Walt decided to call Skyler's (Anna Gunn) bluff about telling the police about his drug-dealing, and knows she has no legal grounds to kick him out of the house he shares with her. This resulted in a very uncomfortable battle of wits between the White's on home turf, with Skyler calling the cops to remove her husband, but finding herself unable to tell them about her husband's crimes because it would destroy him in the eyes of her son Walt Jr (R.J Mitte). It was also a fun idea to give Skyler her own lawyer she can confide in, similar to Walter's crooked attorney Saul (Bob Odenkirk), who advised her to start legal proceedings against her drug-dealing husband. But, tellingly, Skyler would rather just wait it out, because there's a chance Walt's cancer might come back and "resolve" the problem for her without too much upset.
And while Walt believes he's managed a small victory in getting back under his own roof, calling his wife's bluff, and perhaps making an emotional breakthrough after he explained why he'd only cooked meth to make enough money to provide for everyone if he died, but Skyler just doesn't look ready to roll over and accept him back. In fact, she intentionally made a move on her admiring boss Ted (Christopher Cousins) at work, slept with him, and returned home to crush Walt's upbeat temperament by telling him "I fucked Ted" (the acronym of the title revealing itself most cruelly.) Clearly Skyler's infidelity was just a way of punishing Walt in the only way left available to her, but it surprised me that Skyler wasn't more understanding. I think her reaction's going to divide people, but I'm just pleased Anna Gunn's being given perhaps the juiciest emotions of the season so far.
And what of the Cousins in the present-day? Here they took Tio (Mark Margolis) out for a meeting with Gus (Giancarlo Esposita) that was also attended by Tortuga's boss "El Jefe" (aka Juan Bolsa), at Gus' remote chicken farm. Once there, they revealed they want "Heisenberg"/Walter White dead because he killed Tuco, which Gus accepted but asked them to postpone avenging Tuco's death until he's finished using Walter himself. It appears that Gus has enough respect to get his own way, for now, but the Cousins are obviously a maverick element that may not wait long.Overall, "I.F.T" was very good and I like the measured pace season 3 is taking so far. The sense of tension whenever the Cousins appear (partly due to the droning soundtrack that accompanies them) is marvelous, and I'm anxious to see where things are headed.
Asides
- Uncle Tio finally got a proper name: Don Salamanca, once a big deal in the drug trafficking business before, assumedly, ill health forced him to pass on his empire to nephew Tuco. I'd love a flashback episode for Tio, as he must have made Tuco look shy and retiring if his furious bell-ringing is any indication!
- Is Gus genuinely heartless and just using Walt for his own ends, or was that all show for his peers? Surely he'd want to keep Walt around for much longer than the three-month period he mentioned, if his meth's so pure and marketable? Will he help Walt defeat the enemies he doesn't even know he has yet?
- Is Jesse able to cook meth to Walt's high standard now? If so, will he still need Walt's contact with Gus to distribute it? Would Gus abandon Walt once he realizes Jesse can cook the meth just as well? Or will Jesse make a poor cook, and be forced to get back to cooking with Walt. That seems more likely to me. But what could possibly get Walt back to cooking meth?
- It feels like the White's marriage is doomed, but Walt's secret is safe. However, will Skyler perhaps come round to Walt's way of thinking and perhaps turn a blind eye if he starts cooking meth again? I just have a vision that we're headed towards a final season where Walt's usurped Gus and Skyler's complicit in his activities because she's been charmed by the wealth his criminality brings. But that's just me.
